Three first-half goals from hosts Wingate and Finchley proved too big a hurdle for Witham Town to overcome despite a sterling fightback after the break in their Ryman League premier division clash.

Witham ended up losing the game 3-2 as their woeful run of away form continued.

They have now lost six and drawn one of their last seven outings on the road, however, defeats for other clubs towards the foot of the table meant Town continued to stay clear of the premier division's relegation places.

They were on the back foot early at Wingate and Finchley as strikes from Scott Shulton and Mark Goodman gave the hosts a comfortable cushion after just 20 minutes.

And that was even extended just before half-time when Rob Laney put them three ahead.

It gave Witham a mountain to scale after the break, but they met the challenge positively and pressure on the home goal led to an own goal just after the hour mark.

That gave Witham hope and they had even more once Lewis Godbold fired in with 11 minutes remaining, however, that was as close as Town got and they were unable to find an equalising third goal.